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Registrar briefs council on election timelines, early voting and pending public-act changes
Summary
The registrar of voters told the committee the office successfully administered recent elections, will run early voting in August and October, expects a voting-system change in 2026 and warned that a recently passed public act could affect procedures and costs.
Democratic Registrar Feliciano presented the office's election-administration budget and timeline to the committee.
Feliciano said the office successfully administered recent primaries and elections, implemented early voting and same-day registration, and continues to maintain voter rolls through daily updates and ERIC reporting. She announced key upcoming dates: party endorsements and early voting for primaries on Aug. 3–9; a dual primary on Aug. 11; early voting for the general Oct. 19–Nov. 1; and the general election on Nov. 3.
The registrar warned that a newly passed public act—received just the day before by her office and the town clerk—contains several changes to absentee-ballot rules and other procedures that may affect staffing and budget needs once details are digested and guidance is issued by the state. She also said the city's voter-registration system will change in 2026 and that moderators' certification and equipment training are ongoing priorities.
Council members asked about the voter "purge" (inactivation) process. Feliciano explained that purges are initiated from lists provided by the secretary of state and that the registrar follows multi-step processes that include returned-canvass letters, DMV integration and interstate notifications; she said the office "turns folks off" after a period of inactivity rather than using the word "purge."
Why it matters: Legislative changes and equipment transitions can alter administrative costs and how residents access ballots. The registrar's timeline provides concrete dates for civic planning.
What's next: The registrar will report back as the new public act's details are reviewed and will provide guidance on any budgetary impacts that result.
